Central African Republic

Abstract

One of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, Central African Republic became independent on 13 Aug. 1960. A constitution of 1976 provided for a parliamentary democracy to be known as the Central African Empire. President Bokassa became Emperor Bokassa I. He was overthrown in 1979. In 1981 Gen. André Kolingba took power, initiating a gradual return to constitutional rule.